Page 119 of Relentless

“Come on,” Sawyer interjected, “let’s leave ’em to it.”

Wade spat a stream of tobacco on the dirt floor as he and Colton followed Sawyer.

Oakleigh folded her arms, scanning Crew for the truth. “This isn’t another proposal, is it?” she asked, getting straight to the point. “If I see my —thediamond ring, anywhere on a bull tonight, Crew —”

“Oakleigh,” Crew cut in. He rubbed the back of his neck, his usual confidence waning as he appeared to be gathering his nerve.

“I pulled Big Slim.”

The words hit Oakleigh like a punch to the ribs.

“Nope,” Oakleigh fired back before her filter could temper the bluntness of her reaction.

“I did,” Crew responded, taking her by the shoulders. “And I’m going to ride.”

Oakleigh swept his hand away, feeling her anger rise.

“No, you’re not, Crew.”

Harper, who could never seem to resist stepping into the fray, came to Oakleigh’s side.

“Oakleigh?” she interrupted. “Everything okay?”

Oakleigh glared at Crew, not bothering to rein in her overflowing emotions at what she perceived as utter stupidity. “Oh, nothing,” she replied, throwing her hands in the air. “My boyfriend just has a death wish.”

From behind her came the slow, smug drawl of a voice she hadn’t heard since the night of Crew’s terrible accident.

It was Stetson Kennedy, Crew’s long-time rival.

“You should listen to her, Crew,” Stetson sneered. “Everyone knows that bull is too much for you.”

“This is a nightmare!” Oakleigh exclaimed. She turned away, feeling Crew pull on her arm before she wrung it free.

“Oakleigh, wait,” he pleaded.

It was too late. She was already storming back toward the stairs to her reserved seat in the exclusive section.

“Oakleigh, you know I don’t have a say!” Crew called out after her.

Oakleigh knew he was right. The bulls and the riders were matched with a lottery, a random pick. However —

If anyone could do anything at all, it would be Maeve.

By the time she reached the top of the platform, angry tears were smudging her perfect makeup.

Dallas had taken his place next to Maeve. The two were deeply involved in a discussion over riding strategies, and predictions of who would place that evening.

When Oakleigh stepped beside them, Maeve took a second glance.

“Oakleigh?” she asked. “What’s wrong?” Her attention snapped to Harper, who was following closely behind.

“Not me this time,” Harper assured, putting up her hands in a display of innocence.

Oakleigh clenched her teeth, attempting to steady the shaking in her voice.

“He’s riding Big Slim.”

Maeve inhaled, taking in the information. She crossed her arms as she collected her thoughts. “You’ve known this would happen eventually, Oakleigh.”

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